The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Senior International Business Strategist (Internal Promotion)
3-5 years as a Senior StrategistSkills to master
- Leading full business case development for non-critical markets, mentoring junior analysts, and effectively navigating internal stakeholder relationships.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering 3-5 viable business cases per year with high accuracy.
- Demonstrating strong leadership potential by effectively guiding junior team members.
- Successfully managing cross-functional dependencies on your projects without constant supervision.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating risks in your assigned workstreams.
- 2
Management Consultant (External Hire)
5-7 years at a top-tier consulting firm (e.g., McKinsey, Bain, BCG) focused on strategy or international expansion.Skills to master
- Structured problem-solving, hypothesis-driven analysis, executive communication, and managing client relationships.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading engagement teams and owning client deliverables.
- A portfolio of projects involving market entry, growth strategy, or commercial due diligence.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, honed in a fast-paced environment.
- The ability to adapt consulting frameworks to an in-house corporate context.
- 3
Corporate Strategy / Business Development Manager (External Hire)
6-10 years in a similar role at another global technology or FinTech company.Skills to master
- Practical experience in market sizing, competitive analysis, and leading strategic initiatives within a corporate setting.
You're ready to move on when
- A track record of successfully contributing to or leading market expansion projects.
- Familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities of international business in our sector.
- Experience managing internal stakeholders and driving consensus on strategic decisions.
- Proven ability to build and defend complex financial models for new ventures.